Endoscope apparatus

Abstract

This NMR metering endoscope apparatus is provided with an endoscope body and an NMR metering loop-like antenna. The endoscope body is provided with an elongate insertable part having an observing window and illuminating window in the tip part an observing system for observing an object by receiving a light coming from the object and entering through the observing window and an illuminating light outputting system emitting an illuminating light out of the illuminating window. The NMR metering antenna is fitted to the outer periphery including the tip surface of the insertable part of the endoscope body and can be connected to the NMR metering apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An NMR metering endoscope apparatus comprising: an endoscope body provided with an elongate insertable part having a rear end and a tip part including a tip surface at a front end thereof, an observing window and an illuminating window in the tip part, an observing means for observing an object by receiving light coming from the object entering through said observing window, and an illuminating light outputting means for emitting an illuminating light out of said illuminating window; and   an NMR metering loop-like antenna fitted to said insertable part tip part by a supporting part so as to be outside the insertable part, said NMR antenna including connecting means for connection to an NMR metering apparatus.   
     
     
       2. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a hood provided on the tip part of said insertable part and enclosing said tip part, said antenna being fitted to said hood. 
     
     
       3. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an extensible balloon fitted to the tip part of said insertable part, said antenna being fitted to said balloon. 
     
     
       4. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a means for changing the direction of orientation of said antenna with respect to said tip part. 
     
     
       5. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said antenna is formed to be bendable and said means for changing the direction of said antenna is a means for bending said antenna. 
     
     
       6. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said antenna is rotatably fitted to the tip part of said insertable part and said means for changing the direction of said antenna is a means for rotating said antenna. 
     
     
       7. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said antenna and said antenna supporting part has an elasticity so as to positively fix and antenna to a metering position by contacting said antenna with the metering position. 
     
     
       8. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said antenna is spirally wound and has resiliency. 
     
     
       9. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said antenna is removably fitted to the tip part of said insertable part. 
     
     
       10. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a hood removably provided on the tip part of said insertable part and enclosing said tip part, said antenna being fitted to said hood. 
     
     
       11. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 9 further comprising a first pipe line fitted to the tip part of said insertable part and becoming loop-like when filled with a fluid, a second pipe line inserted through said insertable part for feeding said fluid to said first pipe line, and supplying means for a conductive fluid with which said first and second pipe lines can be filled, said first pipe line becoming said antenna when filled with said conductive fluid. 
     
     
       12. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said conductive fluid is at least one of a conductive liquid, a conductive gas, a conductive powder, a conductive gel and a mixture of at least two of them. 
     
     
       13. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 9 further comprising a curvable part which is provided in a predetermined portion of the tip of said insertable part to direct said insertable part tip part in a predetermined direction, an operating means provided in the rear of the rear end of said insertable part and operating to curve said curvable part, a force transmitting member inserted through said insertable part for making said curvable part curvable by the operation of said operating means, and a signal line connected to said antenna inserted through said insertable part and led to the rear end of said insertable part. 
     
     
       14. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 13 wherein at least a part of said force transmitting member and at least a part of said signal line are common to each other. 
     
     
       15. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said force transmitting member has a hollow part though which at least a part of said signal line is inserted. 
     
     
       16. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 9 further comprising an index forming means forming an index for the metering position of said antenna. 
     
     
       17. An NMR metering endoscope apparatus comprising: an endoscope body provided with an elongate insertable part having a rear end and a tip part including a tip surface at a front end thereof, an observing window and an illuminating window in the tip part, an observing means for observing an object by receiving light coming from the object entering through said observing window, and an illuminating light outputting means for emitting an illuminating light out of said illuminating window: and   an NMR metering loop-like antenna fitted to said insertable part tip surface, said NMR antenna being formed along the contour of said tip surface and including connecting means for connection to an NMR metering apparatus.   
     
     
       18. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a tubular member through which said insertable part is inserted and in which said antenna is provided. 
     
     
       19. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said antenna is fitted to an outer cover of said insertable part tip surface. 
     
     
       20. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said insertable part has a curvable part which can direct said insertable part tip part in a predetermined direction and said antenna is fitted to an outer cover of said curvable part. 
     
     
       21. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 17 further comprising a signal line connected at one end to said antenna, inserted through said insertable part, led to the rear end of said insertable part and connected at the other end to an NMR metering apparatus. 
     
     
       22. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 17 wherein said observing means further comprises an image forming optical system provided in the tip part of said insertable part, an eyepiece part provided on the rear end of said insertable part and an image transmitting optical system for transmitting to said eyepiece part an object image formed by said image forming optical system. 
     
     
       23. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 17 wherein said observing means has an image forming optical system provided in the tip part of said insertable part and an imaging means imaging an object image formed by said image forming optical system.